The Chevrolet Volt has three big changes for 2013: an increase in the EPA-rated EV range partly attributed to a slightly bigger battery, the addition of a new Hold mode, and eligibility for carpool lane access in California and New York. The 149-horsepower extended-range electric vehicle can travel up
to 38 miles as an EV, and the lithium-ion battery is now 16.5 kilowatt-hours. The Hold mode, already a feature on the international-market Volt and Opel/Vauxhall Ampera, lets drivers trigger the 1.4-liter four-cylinder range-extending engine as seen fit. This allows for the preservation of battery charge. Recharging the Volt takes anywhere from four to 16 hours to go from depleted to full, depending on charger power. As one of the most aerodynamically efficient vehicles in the General Motors lineup, the four-seat hatchback is EPA-rated for 35/40 mpg city/highway when the 1.4-liter engine is switched on. Eight standard airbags swarm the cabin, and available safety technologies include front and rear park assist, a backup camera, and forward collision and lane departure warning systems. The Chevrolet Volt is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, while the hybrid-drive components carry a warranty period of 8 years or 100,000 miles (10 years or 150,000 miles in CARB-compliant states). See more...See Less